“It’s not just the standard stuff, things
that are going to fall in our lap,” Toledo said. “The Shostakovich 10th
is a real risk, something for all of us to step up to.”

All three drooled at the prospect of
lending a hand Oct. 6 to the Shostakovich epic, one of the 20th
century’s great musical canvases. “Every time you turn the page, it’s
exciting,” Kroth said. “The slow movement is just poetry, with the
flute, oboe and bassoon. It’s so beautiful.”

Toledo called it “a real doozy.”

“There are lots of technical, super-exposed moments that will get me working in the practice room for sure.”

“It’s a big symphony, a lot of stuff for percussion,” Burgett Thrasher said. “It’s one we all have learned for years.”

On the same night, Kroth will take the stage for a rare turn as soloist to play the Mozart bassoon concerto.

“I’ll go from the frying pan into the fire,” he said. “I couldn’t have picked a better concert for bassoon.”

When Kroth saw the line-up for the Jan. 5
concert, he lit up. “Brahms One! Wow! There’s beautiful playing from
all instruments. One of my favorite moments doesn’t even involve the
bassoon.” He laughed at his own bassoon-o-centrism. “There’s this lovely
call between flute and horn. Beem-pa-paaahm, paaahm, it just gives me
chills.”